Perspectives Of Mentor Teachers For Early Childhood Teacher Preparation,
2020
Walden University
Perspectives Of Mentor Teachers For Early Childhood Teacher Preparation, Shannon J. Rivera
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Early childhood (EC) teacher education programs and public-school partnerships have broadened preparation of preservice teachers by providing more learning opportunities during preservice field experiences. These experiences require mentoring from highly qualified supervising teachers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore mentors’ perspectives of their qualifications to mentor EC preservice teachers in a 4-year university laboratory school. Ambrosetti’s theory of mentor preparation guided this study. The research question addressed mentor teachers’ perspectives of their mentoring qualifications for EC preservice teachers. A snowball sample of 8 mentor teachers, with at least 4 years’ experience mentoring EC preservice teachers, volunteered …
The Perspectives Of Early Childhood College Faculty On The Role Of Play,
2020
Walden University
The Perspectives Of Early Childhood College Faculty On The Role Of Play, Susan Paula Mckoy
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
AbstractEarly Childhood and Care Education (ECCE) educators are expected to understand the role of play and implement play in their classrooms, but specific classes on the role of play at the college level are not offered. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the perspectives of full-time ECCE faculty at a Southeastern state technical college teaching preservice teachers to determine their students’ understanding of the role of play, the inclusion of play in their lesson plans, and how play is being implemented in their classrooms. The conceptual framework guiding the study was Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development. …
Prekindergarten Educators' Perspectives On Professional Development About Transgender And Gender-Nonconforming Children,
2020
Walden University
Prekindergarten Educators' Perspectives On Professional Development About Transgender And Gender-Nonconforming Children, Danita Marie Norris Mccray
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Young children start to develop an understanding of gender and gender identity in prekindergarten. Early childhood educators require professional development in creating safe, supportive learning environments for transgender and gender nonconforming children. Limited research has focused on prekindergarten educators' knowledge, skills, and dispositions about supporting transgender and gender nonconforming children in their classrooms. Framed by Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory and Derman-Sparks antibias early childhood concepts, the purpose of this basic qualitative study with interviews was to explore prekindergarten educators' perspectives on professional development about transgender and gender nonconforming children. Data were collected using semistructured, in-depth interviews with 12 prekindergarten educators …
Elementary-Level Instructional Coaches’ Perspectives On Roles And Teacher Effectiveness,
2020
Walden University
Elementary-Level Instructional Coaches’ Perspectives On Roles And Teacher Effectiveness, Amanda Miliner
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Instructional coaches help improve teacher effectiveness to ultimately help improve student performance. The roles of instructional coaches often vary depending on the leadership or recent trends of a school district. This inconsistency impedes the instructional coach’s ability to improve teacher effectiveness. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore elementary-level Title I instructional coaches’ perspectives on their roles and how these roles improved teacher effectiveness. Organizational role theory served as the conceptual framework for this study. This study consisted of a convenience sampling of 7 Title I instructional coaches in one school district in a Southern state. The …
First-Grade Teachers’ Perspectives On Children’S Oral Reading Fluency And Automaticity,
2020
Walden University
First-Grade Teachers’ Perspectives On Children’S Oral Reading Fluency And Automaticity, Keshia Wood
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Reading fluency and automaticity are essential components of the first-grade reading curriculum, yet little is known about teachers’ perspectives on their role in assisting children in mastering these skills. The purpose of this basic qualitative research study was to explore teachers’ perspectives of the problem of low reading fluency and low automaticity among their first-grade students. The theory of automatic information processing in reading formed the conceptual framework, augmented by Rasinski’s techniques of repeated reading and readers theater to support development of reading fluency and automaticity. Research questions about teachers’ perspectives of oral reading fluency and automaticity, their understanding of …
Examining Predictors Of Birth Outcomes: Implications For Early Childhood Development And Policy,
2020
Walden University
Examining Predictors Of Birth Outcomes: Implications For Early Childhood Development And Policy, Cissy Lee Mattingly
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
While the infant mortality rate has improved significantly in the United States in recent years, a Black-White disparity persists. The problem is the high infant mortality rate in the state of Texas. The purpose of this quantitative multiple logistic regression study was to examine disparities in birth outcomes in the state of Texas by race, ethnicity, and other significant predictors related to socioeconomic status. The Mosley-Chen theoretical framework bridges the gap between social science and biomedicine to identify key predictors of infant mortality including socioeconomic factors for studies in child development. The 2 research questions examined if race and ethnicity …
Prekindergarten Practitioners’ Perspectives Of The Creative Curriculum For At-Risk Students,
2020
Walden University
Prekindergarten Practitioners’ Perspectives Of The Creative Curriculum For At-Risk Students, Navine Fortune
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Investigators have addressed elementary practitioners’ perspectives concerning the concept of curriculum development and children’s learning; however, much less information is available on prekindergarten practitioners’ perspectives of curriculum for at-risk prekindergarten students. This basic qualitative study explored prekindergarten practitioners’ perspectives of self-efficacy, competence, and motivation in the implementation of The Creative Curriculum for Preschool Program with at-risk students in a southeastern state. The theories of constructivism and self-efficacy guided the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions focused on prekindergarten practitioners’ perspectives of self-efficacy, competency, and motivation during implementation of the curriculum. Data were collected using in-depth semistructured interviews with …
Characteristics Of Teacher Language Exchange With Preschool Children,
2020
Walden University
Characteristics Of Teacher Language Exchange With Preschool Children, Patricia Plummer-Wilson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Research has documented the influence of early home language experiences on children’s development and educational success, but as many children spend large portions of their days in childcare centers, preschool teachers have similar potential to have a profound and lasting influence on children’s language development. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the varying levels of quantity and quality of teacher language exchanges with preschool students in independently-funded childcare facilities. The work of Hart and Risley on parental language exchange formed the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions guiding this study focused on affirmative versus …
Experiences Of Parents Interacting In An Urban Preschool Outreach Program,
2020
Walden University
Experiences Of Parents Interacting In An Urban Preschool Outreach Program, Sonya Renee Baines-Corey
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
AbstractParental engagement supports children academically. However, African American parents engage at lower levels than other parents. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to understand the experiences of urban preschool parents in a blended parental engagement program. A combination of critical race theory, experiential learning, social learning theory, and andragogy served as the conceptual framework. Data were collected through semi structured face-to-face interviews with eight African American parents, observational field notes, and an archival review of preschool documents in a Southeast U.S. stateâs innovative parental engagement program that incorporates technology. Findings from inductive thematic analysis indicated three major themes. …
Parents And Educators Perspectives Of Chronic Absenteeism: Strategies To Improve Attendance,
2020
Walden University
Parents And Educators Perspectives Of Chronic Absenteeism: Strategies To Improve Attendance, Gloria Genene Woullard-Wilder
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The research problem for this study was the chronic absenteeism for students in Grades 1–3 in a high-poverty, low-performing elementary school in a Southern state. Chronic absenteeism (CA) can result in poor reading skills and high dropout rates for students in low-income areas. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of 6 parents, 6 educators, and 4 school support staff regarding the causes of CA in Grades 1–3 and recommendations to increase and sustain attendance. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory served as the framework. The research questions were used to identify causes of CA and suggestions …
Prekindergarten Teachers' Perspectives Of Supporting The School Readiness Of English Language Learners,
2020
Walden University
Prekindergarten Teachers' Perspectives Of Supporting The School Readiness Of English Language Learners, Shannon Rice
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The problem examined in this study was that English language learners (ELLs) are not meeting readiness proficiency, which contributes to the growing learning gap between ELLs and their native English-speaking peers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of prekindergarten teachers' perspectives about what is needed to increase their effectiveness in teaching ELLs. The conceptual framework for the study was Vygotsky's sociocultural theory. Prekindergarten teachers' perspectives were examined to understand how they assess, create goals, and monitor the learning progress of ELLs as well as how they can be further supported by colleagues and administration. Data …
Effectiveness Of Response To Intervention In Third Grade Reading Outcomes,
2020
Walden University
Effectiveness Of Response To Intervention In Third Grade Reading Outcomes, Amanda Wentz
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Reading continues to be a struggle for many students beyond primary ages. Response to Intervention (RTI) is a common approach in practice to improve reading outcomes, but it has not been researched with all populations. Studies on 3rd grade struggling readers are needed to ensure they receive appropriate support to become more successful readers. The theoretical foundations for this quantitative study included Vygotsky’s social constructivist theory and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The research questions examined whether participating in RTI had a significant influence on 3rd grade students’ reading outcomes from the beginning compared to the end of the school year. …
Factors That Affect Language And Literacy Development In International School Contexts,
2020
Walden University
Factors That Affect Language And Literacy Development In International School Contexts, Jessica Cardoza
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Kindergarten students attending English-immersion, international school programs in Spanish-speaking countries may be at risk for learning difficulties. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the relationship and comparisons between factors of duration of program enrollment, home language spoken by parents and caregivers, and children’s gender (independent variables), and the English language proficiency (dependent variable) of dual language learners attending an international school where the instruction was primarily in English and the dominant language of the country was Spanish. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and Dworin’s theory of bidirectionality in bilingual language development formed the theoretical foundation for this study. Research …
Culturally Sensitive Parenting Counseling, Corporal Punishment, And Early Childhood Development In Grenada,
2020
Walden University
Culturally Sensitive Parenting Counseling, Corporal Punishment, And Early Childhood Development In Grenada, Lauren Elizabeth Anne Orlando
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Many children under 5 years of age in developing countries and regions, including the Caribbean, will not fulfill their developmental potential due to being exposed to risks such as poverty, poor health, violence, and unstimulating home environments. Adverse childhood experiences, which include corporal punishment, may increase children’s risk for poor adult health and disease outcomes. The purpose of this quasi-experimental, quantitative study, grounded in the social ecological model, was to examine the use of corporal punishment and the impact of parental exposure to culturally sensitive parenting counseling (CSPC) provided to families with children aged 0 to 3 years old enrolled …
Early-Career Child Care Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Training Experiences,
2020
Walden University
Early-Career Child Care Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Training Experiences, Teri M. Peasley
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In a Midwest state, child care teachers who enter the workforce with only a high school diploma or GED credential are not required to complete child development training before being placed in a classroom. Child care teachers need foundational knowledge to provide quality care and education to young children. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how early-career child care teachers with no advanced education in child development experience training upon entering the workforce. Personal narratives are scarce in existing research, and understanding the perspectives of child care teachers provided an opportunity to consider appropriate training and …
Educators’ Perspectives On Parent Engagement In Rural Title I Charter Schools,
2020
Walden University
Educators’ Perspectives On Parent Engagement In Rural Title I Charter Schools, Patricia Ann Burns
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
At a rural Title I charter school serving K-3 students in the Southeastern United States, educators have noted low levels of parent engagement. A low level of parent engagement can lead to low levels in student achievement. Educators wish to understand the benefits of parent engagement, barriers to parent engagement, benefits of parent engagement, barriers to parent engagement, and ways to increase parent engagement. The purpose of this basic qualitative study with interviews was to address the local problem by exploring rural Title I charter school educators' perspectives on benefits of, barriers to, and strategies for increasing parent engagement. Epstein’s …
Best Approaches For English Acquisition With Primary English Language Learners,
2020
Walden University
Best Approaches For English Acquisition With Primary English Language Learners, Roxanna Gario
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The education reform that took place in the emirate of Abu Dhabi set the standard that all students attending state-governed schools would be literate in their native language of Arabic as well as English, which was being taught in schools as a second language. However, school data documented achievement gaps in English reading among English language learners (ELLs) at a primary school in Abu Dhabi. The purpose of this study was to investigate the best approaches used by English medium teachers to teach reading to ELLs in order to provide recommendations for student improvement. Guided by Krashen’s monitor model, this …
Head Start Teachersâ Self-Efficacy And Experiences Teaching Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders,
2020
Walden University
Head Start Teachersâ Self-Efficacy And Experiences Teaching Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Leronda Phillips
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Autism spectrum disorders are pervasive developmental disorders in which a studentâs inability to communicate, undeveloped social skills, and restricted interests require intervention from trained professionals. Autism spectrum disorder is an eligibility for special education where students can be affected by the presence of a lack of qualified teachers. Teachers who work with students with special needs experience more frustration and burnout than do teachers of typical students; research has suggested that teachers with higher self-efficacy have more success than do teachers with lower self-efficacy. The studyâs theoretical basis was derived from Banduraâs self-efficacy theory. This phenomenological qualitative research study explored …
Teachers’ Perspectives About Strategies To Address The Influence Of Adverse Childhood Experiences,
2020
Walden University
Teachers’ Perspectives About Strategies To Address The Influence Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Marie C Walker Arroyo
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Each year, the people of Puerto Rico prepare for hurricane season by attending to their properties and families’ needs, such as food, water, and supplies. Many educators on the island of Puerto Rico were not prepared for the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) faced by children during and following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. This basic qualitative interview study explored preschool teachers’ perspectives about strategies they used to address the influences of ACEs during and following the hurricanes. Resilience theory and Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory provided the conceptual framework for the study. The study sought to identify educators’ capacities …
Exploring Early Childhood Teachersâ Perspectives Regarding How They Teach Vocabulary,
2020
Walden University
Exploring Early Childhood Teachersâ Perspectives Regarding How They Teach Vocabulary, Serena Williams
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Previous studies have been done on the lack of quality and consistency of vocabulary instruction in low socioeconomic schools. The problem addressed in this study was that some students were performing well on vocabulary assessments in low income early childhood classrooms while other students were performing poorly. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perspectives of early childhood teachers in low socioeconomic schools of students with high vocabulary scores regarding how they teach students based on their zones of proximal development. The conceptual framework used in this study was Vygotskyâs (1978) sociocultural theory of cognitive development, …
